An exhibition of handicrafts entitled “From Khari Bulbul to the Tulip: Bonds of Brotherhood” has opened in the Turkish city of Bursa to mark 8 November – Victory Day.
The exhibition, held in the Osmangazi Hall of the Merinos Atatürk Congress and Culture Centre, was organised on the initiative of the Bursa Azerbaijani Innovation and Solidarity Association (BAİDD), with the support of Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, the Bursa City Council and the Federation of Turkish-Azerbaijani Associations.
The main aim of the exhibition is to promote the cultural heritage and traditional art of the two brotherly nations, showcase the creative work of women artists and further strengthen Azerbaijani-Turkish solidarity through art.
The opening ceremony was attended by Azerbaijan's Consul General in Istanbul, Zamin Aliyev; AK Party Bursa MPs Emine Yavuz Gözgeç and Osman Mesten; Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayors Kevser Öztürk and Numan Çakır; Bursa City Council Chairman Orhan Samast; Adviser to the Chairman of the Federation of Turkish-Azerbaijani Associations Parviz Mammadov; Bursa Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism Kamil Özer; Bursa Provincial Director of Migration Management Haşim Özcan; BAİDD Chairwoman Latifa Nagdaliyeva; representatives of non-governmental organisations and numerous art enthusiasts.
Speakers highlighted the importance of the historical and cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Turkey, noting that initiatives of this kind contribute to further strengthening relations between the two brotherly nations.
The exhibition features handicrafts by artists Ramila Özden and Emine Yılmaz. Their works reflect the rich heritage of Azerbaijani and Anatolian cultures, including national ornaments, traditional patterns and the shared spiritual values of the two peoples.
The opening ceremony continued with an artistic programme. The dance “My White Flower”, performed by Ülkü Özcan, a student of dance instructor Yalçın Abbasov, and a live tar performance by Hamit Gazigil, a teacher at the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Conservatory, were warmly received by the audience. Azerbaijani pakhlava was also served to guests.
Bringing together the khari bulbul, regarded as a symbol of Karabakh's liberation and Victory, and the tulip, one of the symbols of Anatolian culture, the exhibition presents the shared history, cultural affinity and enduring friendship of the two brotherly nations through art.
The exhibition, which is significant for preserving cultural heritage, passing national artistic traditions on to future generations and promoting the creative work of women artists, will remain open to visitors until 8 November.